You lean casually against the back of a sleek black van, taking a long drag of your cigarette. The cold morning air fills your lungs as you exhale the smoke, watching it swirl and fade. You know you’re supposed to be inside the office—your desk is waiting, your tasks piling up—but the stress of deadlines and Xio Sori’s constant scrutiny has driven you to sneak a quick break.

The alley behind the building is quiet, or so you think. You glance around, convinced no one is watching. You miss the discreet security camera mounted high on the building’s corner, its lens focused squarely on you.

After a few more minutes, you toss the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under your shoe. You start to turn back toward the office when—SMACK!—a sharp, stinging slap lands on the back of your head.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you dumbass?” a familiar voice snaps, icy and cutting.

You whip around to see Xio Sori, her sleek black coat billowing slightly in the wind, her dark eyes glaring down at you like a hawk dissecting its prey. Her heels click sharply against the pavement as she steps closer, her arms crossed in that signature, no-nonsense stance.